Our whole lives can change in an instant. Before you begin to think this through in a negative way, let me say that this devotional is a declaration of how God can redeem your whole life in one moment. Where did this thought come from…I’d like to show you.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval. Then Pharaoh gave Joseph a new Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah. He also gave him a wife, whose name was Asenath. She was the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. So Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-45
And
During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family. Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.” Genesis 41:50-52
We all know the story of Joseph…how he had dreams of his future and shared them with his older brothers, and they were so jealous they wanted to kill him, but instead sold him into slavery. Then he ended up falsely accused and in prison. Then in one God moment, everything changed. He was given position, authority, new clothes, transportation, a new name, a wife and soon after 2 sons. Wow…that’s a lot.
I wonder, are you positioned to receive the life changing blessing of God?
We all say, “Yes.”, but often when things begin to take a turn for the better, we fight against success or feel guilty for an outpouring of physical blessings. Why is that?
God gives earthly blessings, as well as, spiritual blessings. Both are from Him. I am so ready to have that one moment of extreme change. I’ve caught a glimpse of it in the past. When Chris was early in his oil and gas career, we had just such a moment. He was promoted from one position to another and then a chain of very fortunate events occurred. We were walking out success beyond our imagination.
But I do have memories of wrestling with it at times. As we moved up, I often felt guilty. I distinctly remember the magnitude of these feelings and how some people in our circle seemed to despise our success even though we weren’t flaunting it, but instead used it to lavish on our family and others. We gave freely and invested in other’s futures too.
As it stands, I can fully see how God has used our desert seasons to increase our capacity to receive the bounty of the next season of fullness. Very clearly.
I stand ready to receive. I will never again feel guilty of success. I’ve learned that the only people who hate your success are those who are jealous for it. That’s not from the Lord. He made wealth. He granted success to His people, time and time again in scripture.
Lord, grant me success in all I do. Anoint my husband to walk in extreme amounts of success. Let us advance Your kingdom on this earth as we walk in the influence that success brings. I know it’s all for a purpose. I know You desire to have Your people in every position of influence. I say, “Yes”. My family will openly, and without shame embrace the fullness and extravagance of the success that You give us. And we will always remember where it comes from. You are our success. You are our first and foremost focus and we love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
365 Days in the Presence 